Ali Riaz on the Future of Bangladesh’s Politics

Ali Riaz on the Future of Bangladesh’s Politics

Magazine Despite Bangladesh’s slide toward a one-party autocracy, “the current trajectory is not destiny.” Awami League leaders and activists celebrate their party’s victory in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jan. 10, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League (AL), under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has cemented a fourth consecutive term in power – but not … Read more

The Death of Democracy in Bangladesh

The Death of Democracy in Bangladesh

The outcome of the 12th parliamentary election in Bangladesh was expected, and long predicted. With the main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), pulling out of the race, the path was always clear for the incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in office since January 2009, to tighten her grip on power. Even though calls were … Read more

Bangladesh’s Opposition-Less Election Returns Hasina to Power

Bangladesh’s Opposition-Less Election Returns Hasina to Power

Bangladesh’s January 7 general election, as expected, returned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League to power for a fourth consecutive term, in a poll boycotted by the opposition. According to results announced by the Election Commission on January 9, the AL won 222 out of 300 seats. A further 62 seats went to … Read more

The Great Bangladesh Election Conundrum

The Great Bangladesh Election Conundrum

Beyond the Indus returns in the new year with an election special series – The Road to ‘24 – that analyses the dynamic, colorful, and chaotic elections taking place across South Asia this year. For our first election, we take a look at Bangladesh, where the incumbent, Sheikh Hasina, presides over an increasingly authoritarian government … Read more

Bangladesh’s Blueprint for Engineering an Election

Bangladesh’s Blueprint for Engineering an Election

Although Bangladesh’s general election, scheduled on January 7, 2024, is a little over a month  away, there is no confusion as to what kind of an election it will be, and there is no uncertainty as to what results the election will deliver. With the deadline for submission of nomination papers now passed, 29 parties … Read more

Bangladesh’s Make-or-Break Elections

Bangladesh’s Make-or-Break Elections

Magazine The 2024 election is a matter of political survival for both the ruling Awami League and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Smoke rises from flames near the stage set for a protest by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Oct. 28, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu On November 16, the Election Commission … Read more

Who Benefits From Street Politics in Bangladesh?

Who Benefits From Street Politics in Bangladesh?

Conflict over a neutral election-time caretaker government between Bangladesh’s ruling party, the Awami League (AL), and the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has turned violent. Both the ruling party and the opposition are taking a hard line, inspiring gloomy political prospects for both before and after the general election scheduled for January 7, 2024.  … Read more

Bangladesh’s Democracy Under Siege

Bangladesh’s Democracy Under Siege

Magazine With a notorious track record of crackdowns on the opposition and the free media, a lot is riding on Bangladesh’s general elections next year. People join a protest against the death in prison of Mushtaq Ahmed, a writer who was arrested on charges of violating the sweeping digital security, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Feb. 26, … Read more

Bangladesh 2024: A New Game in Town

Bangladesh 2024: A New Game in Town

Advertisement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced that the next general election in Bangladesh will take place in January 2024. This means that we should anticipate contests in all 300 parliamentary constituencies six months from now. Given the scale of the country’s polity, such a large-scale general election typically involves extensive preparations, campaigning, and resource … Read more